Downtown Live

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Go To: Rockin' The Vote • CD Release Parties

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Rockin’ the Vote

by Jamie Manser

he political rhetoric is thick and the bullshit is knee deep as the weeks barrel forth toward the November election.

Regardless of one’s political leanings, let’s face it — both Republicans and Democrats are plied with millions of dollars from corporations vying for their businesses’ economic agendas. Even Nader’s current campaign has received backing from Bush supporters. The reason ought to be obvious.

At any rate, it’s no secret that special interests course through the veins of the political circulatory system. Where would the lobbyists be if this weren’t true? The crime lies in selfish motivation clouded by ego and blindness to the bigger picture of what makes sense to our collective society, and the world.

Don’t kid yourself thinking this only holds true on a national level. Tucson is yet a microcosm of the national condition. Pay attention to what is happening downtown. Pay attention to the fact the city’s Rio Nuevo project is gulping up property downtown left and right – they own The Fox, The Rialto and Tucson Convention Center. Ask how many of the downtown policy makers actually live downtown. Pay attention to the fact that the people who have helped to make downtown what it is are being priced out of the neighborhoods they eked out of crime-ridden ghettos. Pay attention to the fact that downtown and 4th Avenue bars are targeted by the police on a weekly basis when it is the nightlife that has kept these areas viable. If it weren’t for the teeming and talented population of bands playing at night, there would be nothing going on and the Downtown/4th Avenue/Main Gate area would, heretofore, be devoid of activity.

Get involved, but please do it with a clear vision of the greater good.

Ask questions with respectful dissent.

Lucky for us, the Founding Fathers laid the groundwork for citizens to do that legally in order to enact change in governmental policies. Lucky for us, there are people who actually care enough to use those Constitutional rights. God bless ‘em!

Since the power of the Almighty Dollar still reins, it takes cash to raise awareness on the soft money that pads the pockets of political candidates and their campaigns.

In order to fight fire with fire, Club Congress is sponsoring a fundraiser for the Clean Elections campaign on Friday, August 13.

For a mere five clams, a bunch o’ bands and a bevy o’ booths will be on hand for your listening and activist pleasure.

This is the multi-stylistic shakedown, sistahs & brothas! Confirmed as of press time: Salvador Duran, The Mitzi Cowell Band, A:Chim, Kevin Pakulis, Tucson Puppet Works, Caliche con Carne, Ted Wembrant, Mankind and LA’s Gliss.

Speaking of music and politics, MoveOn.org, a political action committee, is co-sponsoring an album titled “Future Soundtrack of America” with Music for America and Barsuk Records. According to the website, www.moveonpac.org/future, the 22-song release features “powerful and political songs, most of them unreleased until now.” Some of the contributing artists include David Byrne, Tom Waits, Mike Doughty, Old 97’s, R.E.M., The Flaming Lips, Fountains of Wayne, and Jimmy Eat World. All of the profits go to non-profit progressive organizations, including Music For America, Common Assets, The Sierra Club, and others. A $25 donation to MoveOn.org gets you a copy before it hits the streets on August 17.

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